Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Kentucky)

May 26th, day 26 of Sparky's Epic Adventure. We wandered through more of Missouri, and a bit of Illinois, then overnighted in Paducah Kentucky. I took the scenic backroads today so we were 7 hours on the road.

Before we left Paducah in the morning, we roamed around the historic area of Paducah. It was a Saturday, and the market was in operation. I purchased a metal dog sculpture from the artist to add to our overloaded car! What was I thinking?

On the backroads

Paducah Kentucky market

Ewin Ledbetter and my new dog

Historic area of Paducah Kentucky

Historic area of Paducah Kentucky

Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland (via Vancouver Island)

Day 1, the start of Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland. We are driving west first to visit with family and long-time friends. We don't turn towards the eastern side of North America until the 10th of May. Right now I am squishing all of the 'must haves' into my car.

The beginning!

Day 2, of Sparky's Epic Adventure. It's a long and winding route that will eventually take us to Newfoundland Canada by July 1st. Today's drive was from Kamloops to Surrey BC to visit with good friends Jenda and Surinder, and their pooch Gizmo. There was dense fog this morning which turned to brilliant sunshine by noon.

Cheery trees in bloom White Rock BC

Day 3, of Sparky's Epic Adventure. Hanging out with my friends in Whiterock/Surrey. I love the lush vegetation of the Lower Mainland in BC. Sparky likes grazing on fresh grass. He looks like a small Holstein bull.

My little Holstein bull

Day 4, of Sparky's Epic Adventure, via the long way to Newfoundland Canada. We traveled from Surrey/Whiterock to Davis Bay BC. It's only 80-something kilometers but the drive is in heavy traffic, multiple bridges, and a ferry. I had booked Sparky and me into a cute cottage called Seas the Day in Gibson's, but the 'greeting committee' of three snarly dogs changed my plans. I moved along, up the coast to Davis Bay. I am currently working on getting my deposit back from the operator of #SeastheDay.

Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal

Day 5, of Sparky's Epic Adventure via the long route to Newfoundland Canada. Thursday's sunset from our room at the #CoastOceanside in Davis Bay, BC. It's been a wet and rainy Friday on the Sunshine Coast, and most of BC. I met up with my sister and nieces for hot beverages and laughter. It was so good to see everyone again.

Snug Cove Ferry Bowen Island

Day 6, of our adventure. We drove from Gibsons to the ferry terminal and on to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver by ferry. Then we had a second ferry ride to Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, and drove north to visit my friends in Nanoose Bay for a few days. Beautiful scenery but a damp and grey day. Sparky and I are a bit tired and were in bed by sundown.

Cathedral Grove Vancouver Island

Day 7, Sparky and I are hanging out on Vancouver Island with my long-time friends. The weather is pleasant and intermittently sunny. Today's wandering included a trip to the French Creek fresh fish company with the big fishing boats moored in the marina behind the store. We did a repeat visit to the fascinating Goats on the Roof stores at the Coombs Country Market and took the two dogs for a long stroll through the forest trails.

French Creek BC

Day 8, and we have finally traveled 1000 km! Most of this week has been spent with family and friends so we haven't put a lot of miles (kilometers) on the odometer. Tonight we are in Tofino, on the outer rim of Vancouver Island. The next stop would be Japan. Tomorrow, Sparky and I turn east and start the trek toward our goal of Newfoundland.

Chesterman Beach Tofino BC

COVID19 has blown out our birthday candles

Val and grandkids on her 65th birthday

It's a birthday celebration! Time to blow out the candles on a fancy birthday cake, gently spraying the cake with our saliva and germs. 

And in some cases we moisten the cake with the combined saliva and germs of other family members or friends who are celebrating on the same day. 

The late night musings of my over-active mind.

It really is an odd custom, but until COVID19 came along to dramatically alter our world and our lives no one even gave it a thought. It's what you did. Make a wish and lather your birthday cake with your germs.

Or in the case of some children's parties - particularly in Mexico - the kid's face is shoved into the cake, then the remains are served to the guests. Yum; skin cells, eyelashes, and assorted fluids.

Searching back through my collection of photographs I found lots of fun memories captured in time. 

One of my all-time favourites is a rare photo from my third birthday with my oldest sister Valdine helping me blow out my candles. 

I was the fourth and last daughter. By the time I came along Mom and Dad were so over the photo-taking mania that happens with the oldest child, a little less with the second baby, even less with the third youngster and practically non-existent with the last kid. Lynda who? 

My third birthday with my sister Val helping me

This weekend we are celebrating my sister's 80th birthday, in a socially-responsible way, outdoors in my niece's large yard. I am looking forward to visiting with nieces and their spouses, great-nieces, and great-nephews plus our combined collection of doggies and one very large cat. 

But, late last night I got to thinking. What about her birthday cake? How is my sister going to handle that one? 

How do you blow out candles wearing a face mask? And who would want to eat a cake that has been decorated with germs? And if you don't blow out the birthday candles, do you still get to

Thomas the Cat on his 16th birthday

 make a wish? It's a conundrum. 

I think if I owned a birthday candle manufacturing company I would be very worried about the future. 

The colourful paper plates, napkins, and balloons will probably have a future in our post-COVID19 lives, but birthday candles? I think they will overtime disappear from the retailers. Retailers can't afford to stock an item that no one wants. COVID19 has blown the fun out of life.

Happy 80th Birthday to my sister Valdine, with love from your annoying baby sister. I am so pleased that we can still infect our birthday cakes together. This year featured a dish of her favourite blueberries and bananas. 

Val on her 50th birthday

~

New, new, new! 

Twisted Isla, Book #6 the Isla Mujeres Mystery series

Grab your copy today - here's the Amazon link for e-books or paperbacks.

Grab your copy today - just click on this link

Yep, I'm looking at you! Have you read about me yet?

Yep, I'm looking at you!

I'm Sparky and I'm one of the main characters in the Isla Mujeres Mystery series. In my opinion I am the main character. That will be a future negotiating point with my author. Does anyone know a good contract lawyer?

I digress. 

I am a handsome pure-bred Mexican low-rider, beach-dog, and I have an extraordinary sense of smell that helps me solve the mysteries.

I have curly white and grey terrier fur, with long dark Spaniel-type ears, and expressive brown eyes. (That's what my author says.) Pretty cool, right?

This is my author and me on my "Gotta Day"

I am also fiercely protective of my humans - real and imaginary - which occasionally gets me into trouble in the novels. I haven't actually bitten anyone, but I would to protect my family. I might be short, but I am fierce. 

When I was about a year-and-a-half old my first owner left me to fend for myself. I was afraid of humans, covered in fleas and ticks, and hungry. 

A very nice lady by the name of Yumiko and her husband Andy convinced me I was safe taking food and water from them. They also untangled the knots in my fur, gave me a haircut, and pulled off a whole lot of those painful, nasty ticks.

Unfortunately they didn't live here in Mexico, they were only here for a short time - so they played a trick on their friends.

The day Thomas' books arrived at our casa.

While their friends were on holidays from their home here in paradise Andy and Yumiko babysat their two cats, Thomas and Chica. But by the time the friends came back to their house, they had the two cats and me! 

I thought it was a great trick. I had a nice home to live in - and the people gained an amazingly brilliant dog!

Even though Thomas was the big star in those days he was nice to me, the new kid. He has his own bilingual book for children, The Adventures of Thomas the Cat. Chica is included in the book as well. 

I wasn't in the family then so I am not in that book, but I am the star in four and soon to be five mystery novels. 

Boo, doing what cats do best - sleeping!

Thomas and Chica are both gone now to pet heaven, and I have a new roommate, a black female cat named Boo. Nope, we didn't name her. Someone else in the neighbourhood did. She adopted us, and comes and goes as she pleases. She isn't as friendly as Thomas or Chica, but she is learning.

In the sunlight her fur has dark red, and orange tones so she isn't a pure black cat.  She also tried to come with us this morning on a golf cart ride. Silly cat. Golf carts are for dogs - not cats.

I'm keeping my eye on you!

Gotta go help my human make lunch. I'll chat again another day. 

Cheers Sparky 
(The Sparkinator!)

Murder and mayhem. Revenge and romance.

Isla Mujeres Mystery series

Grab your copy today! 

Available on Amazon as e-books or paperback.

All 4 of my novels hit the top 60 list of Mexico writers group.

These Sunday morning lists give me a lift.  Once again all four of my Isla Mujeres Mystery novels made it into the top 60. 

Temptation Isla #10, 

Trouble Isla #20, 

Treasure Isla #27 

Tormenta Isla #38. 

Working on Book #5 - which might be called Thrilling Isla (still thinking on that ....) Thanks again for your support, and reviews, and following my author's profiles on Amazon, or Goodreads, or Bookbubs. Your support is greatly appreciated. Cheers Lynda and Sparky

Here's the link.

Buy all 4 e-books with one click

‎Mikel Miller‎ to Mexico Writers

21 hrs

the Feb. 24 Sunday snapshot of paid Kindle sales rankings by members of Mexico Writers. Nice moves also this week by John Scherber, Dv Berkom, Mark Statman, Jeanine Kitchel, Judy King, Penn Wallace, Terry L Turrell, Carmen Amato, and Monica Rix Paxson. Congrats to all!
1. Dreamland – Sam Quinones
2. House of Broken Angels – Luis Alberto Urrea
3. The Devil's Highway – Luis Alberto Urrea
4. Just For The Birds – Jinx Schwartz
5. The Apocryphal Gospels – Gustavo Vazquez
6. The Secret Wife – Janice Campbell Paul
7. Glad Farm – Catherine Marenghi
8. Love Under Fire – Jinx Schwartz and 20 other bestselling authors
9. Into the Beautiful North – Luis Alberto Urrea
10. Temptation Isla – Lynda L. Lock
11. Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide – Jim Johnston
12. The Hummingbird's Daughter – Luis Alberto Urrea
13. The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. – Sandra Gulland
14. Millionaire Expat: How to Build Wealth Living Overseas – Andrew Hallam
15. Just Follow the Money – Jinx Schwartz
16. The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul – Deborah Rodriguez
17. Twenty Centavos – John Scherber
18. The Lady in Gold – Anne-Marie O'Connor
19. Absolution – Dv Berkom
20. Trouble Isla – Lynda L. Lock
21. The People's Guide to Mexico – Carl Franz (Felisa Rosa)
22. Mary Magdalene: The Life and Legacy of the Woman Who Witnessed the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus – Gustavo Vazquez
23. The Hidden Light of Mexico City – Carmen Amato
24. Poet in New York – Pablo Medina and Mark Statman
25. Troubled Sea – Jinx Schwartz
26. Rain of Gold – Victor Villasenor
27. Treasure Isla – Lynda L. Lock
28. Say Her Name – Francisco Goldman
29. The Game of Hope – Sandra Gulland
30. The Everything Tween Book: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the Turbulent Pre-Teen Years – Dr. Linda Sonna
31. Just Pardon My French – Jinx Schwartz
32. Just Add Water – Jinx Schwartz
33. Millionaire Teacher (2nd edition) – Andrew Hallam
34. Millionaire Teacher (1st edition) – Andrew Hallam
35. Mistress of the Sun – Sandra Gulland
36. Where the Sky is Born – Jeanine Kitchel
37. First Stop in the New World – David Lida
38. Tormenta Isla – Lynda L. Lock
39. Living at Lake Chapala – Judy King
40. The Cartel Strikes Back – Penn Wallace
41. Hetta Coffey Collection Boxed Set Books 1-4 – Jinx Schwartz
42. Into the Heart of Mexico – John Scherber
43. Living in Mexico Lessons Learned: Healthy Living in Mexico #3 – Terry L. Turrell
44. Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe – Sandra Gulland
45. Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing – Ted Conover
46. 43 Missing – Carmen Amato
47. Murder Strikes Twice – Penn Wallace
48. El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency – Ioan Grillo
49. Kabul Beauty School – Deborah Rodriguez
50. Just the Pits – Jinx Schwartz
51. The Dead Pool – John Scherber
52. Queen of America – Luis Alberto Urrea
53. Living in San Miguel: The Heart of the Matter – John Scherber
54. Hat Dance – Carmen Amato
55. Escuela de belleza en Kabul – Deborah Rodriguez
56. The Nag Hammadi Library – Gustavo Vazquez
57. This is Mexico – Carol Montgomery Merchasin
58. Gangster Warlords – Ioan Grillo
59. The English Speaker’s Guide to Medical Care in Mexico – Monica Rix Paxson
60. Dark Return – Dv Berkom

Buy all three with one click!

Isla Mujeres Mystery series - buy all 3 with one click!

Dan Greenwood

5.0 out of 5 stars  

Isla lovers, these are a great beach read!

June 21, 2018

Format: Paperback 

Verified Purchase

Anyone that loves Isla Mujeres will enjoy this series. 

The author makes it fun to recognize familiar places. 

The mystery of each book is also captivating! 

I suggested buying all three books at one time, 

as you will want to continue reading!

Accurate weather forecasting, island-style

Good morning - what's the weather today?
 

Our weather forecast for the next ten days is a chance of a thunderstorm, with temperatures ranging from 31 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius.  That’s hot! 

And maybe it will be true, and maybe it won’t.

We’ll let you know at the end of the ten days.

Photo from internet news summer snow storm BC

Being Canadians we are totally obsessed with weather. In Canada the conditions can vary tremendously in one day from hot and sunny to downright cold with snow and ice, but hopefully not in June, July, August, September, or October. Although driving through the high-mountain passes of British Columbia in August we have experienced snow. Not our idea of a fun summertime road trip!

Getting wet - but sunny in 15 minutes

On Isla, we compulsively check two different internet weather sites. I like Intellicast and Lawrie prefers Weather Underground. Other island friends use Windguru, or Accuweather, plus a relatively new one called WeatherSpark. From May to October we both also check NOAA, the American-based National Weather Service for potential tropical storms.

The strange thing is the forecasts are only about 50% accurate, even with satellite images and computer modeling. The forecast might be for a chance of thundershowers with the possibility of 117mm of rain, about 4.5 inches, but we’ll have a hot sunny day with absolutely no rain.

From Isla towards the storm over Cancun

If we happen to look towards Cancun, a few miles to the west, they likely will be experiencing the forecasted rain. 

Now that’s a very odd thing because there are no mountains in the state of Quintana Roo. It is a relatively flat piece of land with the highest point in the entire state being located in the southwestern region, and rising a grand total of 230 meters above sea level, or about 750 feet. 

There is nothing very tall in the entire state to ‘snag’ the clouds to hold them over the city, yet Cancun seems to get more rain than Isla.

Showers headed our way

Over time Lawrie and I have become amateur weather forecasters. We look towards the ocean; if the clouds are dark and the horizon is hazy we have ten minutes to shut windows and pull in outdoor cushions. 

Then twenty minutes later we open windows and put out the cushions. It’s a tough life!  

When making your vacation plans don’t be put off by the forecast of grumpy weather. It may or may not be accurate.

Sign near the naval base.

There was for a short time a humorous sign, complete with a large stone suspended from a rope, posted near the Isla Mujeres Quinta Region Naval base. 

It pretty much summed up weather forecasting on Isla Mujeres. 

The stone is wet: it’s raining.  The stone is dry: it’s not raining.  The stone is swinging: it’s windy. The stone is still: it’s not windy. There is no stone: it’s blowing a hurricane. There are two stones: you’re drunk.

The moral of the story, you’ll know what the weather is going to be when it is happening.

Hasta Luego from paradise

(Originally posted July 14th 2017)